UK-based Entertainment Rights has appointed Deborah Dugan to the position of CEO and president of the company’s North American operations. Dugan will have overall responsibility for the day-to-day running of ER’s North American arm which encompasses Entertainment Rights US, Classic Media and Big Idea. Dugan’s main role will be to increase revenue streams for the group’s entire brand portfolio across TV, licensing and merchandising, DVD/video, digital platforms and music.

First up, Dugan is turning her attention to ER’s US feature film slate currently in production, particularly live-action/CG feature Underdog with Spyglass Entertainment and Disney, and The Pirates Who Don’t Do Anything – A Veggie Tales Movie slated for theatrical release in January 2008 via Universal.

Dugan was most recently president of Disney Publishing Worldwide where she oversaw 275 magazines and published more than 4,000 book titles in her tenure. She also played a key role in Disney’s acquisitions of Baby Einstein in 2001 as well as new properties Cheetah Girls, W.I.T.C.H. and Artemis Fowl.